The much awaited Ron's reaction. I'll apologise if it's not what some people wanted, but I find it hard to believe he'd be all that mad with his daughter. This is the best reaction I could write.

Chapter 14

Gryffindors were well known for nerve and daring. Bravery was a trait all Gryffindors prided themselves on.

But Rose's Gryffindor bravery failed her, and she delegated this particular task to her mother.

After all, how was she supposed to tell her dad that his little girl was going out with his enemy's son?

Rose and Hugo both hovered outside the kitchen door. Rose's best efforts to get rid of her brother had failed, and so she'd given in to assure they didn't miss any of the conversation. Both were stood as close to the door as they could be without touching it - they'd learned their lesson about leaning on doors several years ago when the door had opened and they'd crashed to the floor. Needless to say, none of the adults on the other side had been impressed, however amused. Both were prepared to run at the sound of footsteps, too.

They could hear Hermione's quiet murmurs, and then a loud "what?" from Ron, causing Rose and Hugo exchanged looks.

Inside the kitchen, Ron Weasley looked as though his wife had just informed him aliens were attacking, disbelief and horror tangled on his face.

"Ron - listen to me -" Hermione began calmly.

"She can't be." Ron told her, a hint of anger mingled with the dismissive tone. "Not Malfoy's kid. Rosie's not stupid, she knows what kind of scum they are -"

"Ron, she and Al both swear that Scorpius is different to Draco Malfoy." Hermione told him patiently. "And she's happy -"

"For how long, Hermione? How long before he hurts her? You remember Malfoy at school, you remember what he was like." Ron cried, and Hermione's expression softened at the concern in his voice.

"Yes, but Scorpius isn't Draco." She told him patiently.

"He's his son. This is probably all some twisted revenge -"

"Don't be so stupid. He's sixteen, practically a kid -"

"At sixteen, we'd fought death eaters." Ron snapped.

"That has nothing to do with this." Hermione sighed, trying to salvage some patience. "I know you worry about them, but the world is a lot safer now. We made it a lot safer, we made it so they won't have to fear death eaters, dream of Voldemort, worry about us every second they're away. But, Ron, you can't always stop them getting hurt. All you can do is pick up the pieces afterwards."

"I can't believe it." Ron sighed. "What is she thinking?"

"Right now, she's terrified that you'll be really mad, really upset. She thinks you'll hate her."

It was clearly the right button to push.

"Hate her?" He repeated, with more disbelief than any other statement had conjured. "I'd never hate her - I couldn't -"

"I know that. She doesn't."

The sound of footsteps were so sudden and fast that Rose and Hugo barely made it to the living room sofa before the door opened.

"Rosie..." Ron stood, looking at her, as though unsure what to say.

"Are you angry with me?" She asked quietly, fearfully.

"No. No, I'm not." Ron sighed, crossed the room, and hugged her. "It's OK, Rosie."

"He's not like Draco Malfoy, dad, I swear."

"OK. I believe you." He didn't, actually, but Rose sounded close to tears, and Ron could never bear it when she cried. So instead, he hugged her tightly and didn't speak.

In the kitchen doorway, Hermione smiled.

----

Harry Potter was laughing so hard he almost fell of the sofa.

"Stop laughing. It's not funny." Ron said, annoyed.

"It is. It really is." Harry managed through his laughing. After several moments, he calmed himself, straightened up and wiped the tears from under his eyes. "This has been your biggest fear for years."

"It hasn't. It was just...something that worried me a bit." Ron replied. "Ever since I found out his son would be in the same years as my daughter."

"I never thought it would actually happen though." Harry said, and fought to control his laughter. "You should have seen your face when you said it."

"If it any consolation, Ron, I bet Malfoy isn't happy about it, either." Ginny told him. Predictably, Ron's face brightened.

"He's not going to let his son go out with Rosie, is he? I mean, my daughter, Hermione's daughter. Harry's niece."

"And how could he stop it?" Hermione replied flatly. "Let it go. She's happy and that's all that's important."

"Yeah, sure." Ron replied, in an obvious attempt to placate his wife.

----

The Burrow was crawling with people. The old house was all but empty if you counted the people living in it - Molly and Arthur Weasley's offspring had long since flown the nest - but you wouldn't have guessed that. Lily Potter was the youngest grandchild, Victoire Weasley the oldest. There was pretty much a Weasley baby born every year in between.

Rose had often wondered, at a younger age, why her grandparents insisted on having the entire family over so often. It meant more work, bickering, and mess.

And then she'd realised her grandparents had lost a son during her war; her dad, uncles, and aunt Ginny had lost a brother. Her uncle George had lost a twin.

And she understood that her grandparents coped with that loss by surrounding themselves in their remaining family, reminding themselves of what they had, rather than who they'd lost.

Usually, Rose looked forward to the family gatherings, the scattered seats, the huge table filled with food, the wireless playing in the background and everyone talking and eating. More a party than a dinner, and something she always enjoyed.

This time, however, she was jittery, uncomfortable, and apprehensive. Because, besides her parents, her aunt Ginny and uncle Harry, and the cousins who attended Hogwarts, none of the rest of the family knew about her and Scorpius.

And that wouldn't last much longer. With telling her parents done, she had no excuses to stop her cousins telling their own parents.

And so they were.

Fred and Molly were by the back fence, clearly telling George and Alicia. When her uncle George sent her a surprised, amused look, she blushed and turned away, only to see Hugo and James talking to Bill, Fleur, Teddy and Victoire. Bill and Fleur exchanged looks, Teddy's draw dropped open, Victoire grinned at her.

At this rate, the whole family would know within seconds.

"You'll have to tell granddad." Lily told her quietly. "Before one of this lot does. It has to come from you."

"I don't see why it's such a big deal." Rose replied defensively. "It's not like I'm getting married or anything like that."

"I know. And it wouldn't be a big deal if he was anyone else." Lily shrugged. "But you know granddad and Lucius Malfoy never got on. Remember the fight in the bookshop?"

"I remember." Rose said, smiling in spite of her discomfort. "I used to love that story."

"Me too. Do you want me to come with you while you tell him?"

Rose was about to refuse, the word almost out of her mouth, when she changed her mind and nodded. "Come on. Before someone else tells him. I think everyone else has been told."

"Yeah..." Lily nodded, as they headed towards the spot their granddad and Percy were sat, talking. "Do you think uncle Percy knows?"

"I don't know." Rose murmured. "Will he have told granddad?"

"I don't think so...It doesn't look like it. Sirius." Lily grabbed the older boy's arm to stop him, as he wondered by them. "Do me a favour."

"What?"

"Get rid of uncle Percy."

"What, like kill him?" Sirius asked, brightening. "Only if you take all the blame, I can't survive Azkaban -"

"No, you idiot. Just...get him away from granddad."

"Ah. Telling him your big news then, Rose?" Sirius asked, smirking at her.

"Shut up." Rose snapped, turning away.

"Sirius, just do it, will you?" Lily said, before Sirius could retort.

"Fine. You owe me though. Bores me to death. Hey, uncle Percy!" He called the last as he started across the garden. A few moments later, Percy stood and followed Sirius away, looking rather apprehensive.

"Granddad." Rose said, as she and Lily reached him. "I have to tell you something..."

And she did. And she watched as her granddad's mouth dropped open, as he stared at her.

"Lucius Malfoy's grandson?" He managed finally. "But - but you hate­ the boy."

"I did. But I know him now, I really know him. He's different granddad, I promise you. He's not like the rest of them."

"But...Rose...of all the boys at Hogwarts..."

"Come on granddad, it's not all bad. I know him, and Rose's right, he's OK." Lily said brightly. "Anyway, did mum and dad tell you about our last win against Ravenclaw?" Smoothly changing the subject, she sat down next to Arthur. "Three hundred to one-forty. I scored loads of times, their keeper sucks. Hugo scored a lot too, I guess. I think we'll win again this year, Slytherin aren't that good. And Fred and Sirius are really good beaters. James is a great seeker, too. Don't tell him I said that, though, his ego's big enough as it is..."

And she carried on, chattering brightly until Arthur Weasley stopped looking at a silent Rose, and turned to his youngest granddaughter and spoke back.

Rose wondered away eventually, and took a seat by the house, looking out over the family she adored. Was it fair for her to do something they were all so against?